Sliding closure latches



A1180 1966 A. M. JoHNsmN $LIDING CLOSURE LATGHES Filed May 11, 1964 FIG5 FICL4 United States Patent Filed May 11, 1964, Ser. No. 366,501 3 Claims. (Cl. 292228) My invention relates to window latches and is particularly directed to the improvement of previously employed methods of latching by attachment together of the two meeting or interlocking stiles.

The fastening device which I have invented consists of three main parts, a bolt portion, a handle portion, and a spring. It also requires a fastening device such as a screw to fasten the bolt portion and the handle portion together. The main body of the bolt portion is concealed inside the inside interlocking stile, a small part of it projecting out of a slot in that stile and into a slot in the outside interlocking stile when the device is in a latched position. The bold portion is urged into the position just described by the spring. The handle portion projects through a slot in the inside wall of the inside interlocking stile into that stile where it is fastened to the bolt portion by the screw. The handle portion provides a means by which a person may manually pull the bolt portion back, depressing the spring and removing the bolt portion from the slot in the outside interlocking stile, thereby manually unlatching the device. The part of the bolt portion which projects into the slot in the outside interlocking stile is angularly disposed to that stile so that as the window is moved into a closed position, contact of the bolt portion against the outside interlocking stile cams the bolt portion back into the inside interlocking stile until the bolt portion is in alignment with the slot in the outside interlocking stile. When this alignment is reached, then the spring urges the bolt portion into the slot in the outside interlocking stile, thereby achieving automatic latching of the closure when it reaches a fully closed position. It should be noted that the angular disposition of the bolt portion which causes it to be cam'med back upon striking the outside interlocking stile is not only a bevel, as in the case of an ordinary door or cabinet latch, but is a longitudinal slant which causes the top of the bolt portion to slide back into the inside interlocking stile in a swinging motion, as the bolt portion is pivoted on its lower end.

It is an object of my invention to provide a better method than is now employed for the purpose of latching horizontal and vertical sliding windows. The method described in this application has one or more of the following advantages over any of the methods known to your petitioner to be presently employed: 1) Requires less material to manufacture, (2). Requires less labor to manufacture, (3) Requires less labor to install, (4) Offers more positive latching action, eliminating much of the overtravel required on some devices, which on those devices allows the sliding panel to move back and forth after it is latched, such overtravel being made necessary in those devices due to the mechanical principal employed, (5) Aifords automatic latching when the window is moved into a closed position, (6) Is more tamperproof, (7) Exposes less of the locking mechanism to view, which improves its appearance, (8) Has less projection into the room, so as not to interfere with the operation of drapes or blinds, (9) Aifords one handle with which to unlatch the window and pull it into an open position, and (10) Offers a more attractive overall appearance.

Attached to this application are drawings of my invention, to which references in the following description will be made.

FIG. 1 is a view of a typical horizontally sliding window employing my latch.

3,256,832 Patented August 16, 1956 ice FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of that horizontally sliding window.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the interlocking stiles of that window, showing a top view of the components of the latch in a latched position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the interlocking stiles and the latch handle.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the interlocking stiles viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4, but with the side walls of the interlocking stiles removed so as to show the latch. components inside those stiles, in a latched position.

FIGURE 1 is an interior elevation of a sliding window showing the general location of my invention, the latch, reference number 1. The panel on the left side, to which the latch is fastened, is the sliding panel. The panel on the right side is stationary.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section of the window as indicated by section numbers 2-2 on FIGURE 1. FIG- URE 2 again shows the location of my invention, the latch, reference number 1.

FIGURE 3 is a full size drawing of the interlocking meeting stiles, as indicated by section numbers 33 on FIGURE 1, showing in detail the arrangement of the three parts of the latch and the location of the screw which holds two of them together. Reference number 2 indicates the exposed latch handle. Reference numeral 22 indicates the grip on the handle portion 2. Reference number 3 indicates the internal bolt portion. Reference number 4 indicates a fiat spring which is inserted into and is retained by a groove in the bolt portion, which spring applies pressure between the bolt portion and the interior wall of the stile, holding the bolt in a latched position when undisturbed, and returning the bolt to a latched position when the handle portion 2, having been pulled on is released. Reference number 5 indicates the location of a flat head screw, countersunk flush with the surface of the bolt portion, serving the purpose of attaching the handle portion 2 and the bolt portion 3 together.

FIGURE 4 is a side View of the interlocking stiles, as indicated by section numbers 4-4 of FIGURE 3, showing the handle portion of the latch 2, protruding out of the interlocker. This figure shows the access hole in the interlocking stile, reference number 6 through which screw 5 is installed. Through this hole may be seen a small portion of the handle portion 2, and a small portion of the bolt portion 3. Between the two interlocking stiles the part of the bolt portion which reaches across from the interior interlocking stile into the exterior interlocking stile may be seen, reference number 7.

FIGURE 5 is a cutaway section from the same direction as FIGURE 4, but with the right side wall of the interior interlocking stile removed, as indicated by section numbers 5-5 in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 5 shows the shape of the hidden end of the handle portion 2, with particular attention directed to its angular cut indicated by dotted lines, reference number 12a. This results in the angular position of the bolt portion which allows the bolt portion to be cammed back by the leading edge of the exterior interlocking stile, reference number 8, FIG- URE 5 and FIGURE 3, upon contact as the interior interlocking stile, carrying the latch with it moves toward a closed position. It should be noted that the angular position of the bolt portion causes it to be cammed back as it strikes the outside interlocking tile not only because of hte bevel shape on the projecting end of the bolt portion, reference number 3b, FIGURE 3, but also because of the longitudinal angularity of the bolt portion which causes the top end of the bolt portion to swing back into the inside interlocking stile, as the bolt portion is pivoted on its lower end by means of the notch created by the shoulder of the handle which is adjacent the inside surface of the inside interlocking stile, reference number 20c, FIGURE 5, and the lower edge of the bolt adjacent the interior wall of the inside interlocking stile, reference number 3a, FIGURE 5, this notch fitting loosely over the interior wall of the inside interlocking stile at the lower end of the slot, reference number 12, FIGURES 3 and 5, in that wall of the inside interlocking stile. When the closed position is reached, and the bolt portion comes into alignment with the slot, 9, FIGURE 5 and FIGURE 3, in the exterior interlocking stile, the pressure created by the spring 4 pushes the bolt portion into slot 9, thereby automatically latching the window when it reaches a closed position. The shoulder on the handle adjacent the exterior of the inside stile, reference number 2d, FIGURE 3 limits the forward travel of the device so that the handle tits, in a latched position, parallel to the inside interlocking stile, giving the handle a neat appearance when in a latched position. This limitation of the outward travel of the device also thereby limits the projection of the upper end of the slot portion out of the outer wall of the inside stile, so that when the window is in an open position, and is being moved toward a closed position, the upper end of the bolt portion, projects only enough to locate the bevel portion of the bolt, reference number 3b, FIGURE 3, in a position where it will be cammed back by the striker, reference number 8, FIGURE 3, rather than hanging against it. The larger notch formed at the top of the latch, indicated by reference number 20, FIGURE 5, limits the inward and outward travel of the latch assembly. The outward travel of the device is limited by this notch, and also by the shoulder 2d, FIGURE 3, as described above. The inward travel of the device is limited by this notch and also by the thickness of the bolt portion 3, FIGURE 3, it being too thick to come through the slot 12, FIGURES 3 and 5. These limitations on the inward travel of the device prevent the operator from being able to pull the bolt portion completely out of the inside interlocking stile.

Unlat-ching the window is accomplished by pulling back on the handle portion 2, thereby depressing spring 4, and withdrawing the bolt portion 3, from slot 9 in the etxerior interlocking stile, rendering the sliding panel free to be moved to the right.

Preparation of the latch parts and the stiles requires cutting or punching slot 9, FIGURES 3 and 5, into the exterior interlocking stile, the cutting or punching of the slot in the interior interlocker, reference number 10, FIGURES 3 and 5, through which the bolt portion protrudes out of the interior interlocking stile, cutting or punching the slot, reference number 12, FIGURES 3 and 5, through which the handle portion goes into the interior interlocking stile, drilling and countersinking a hole in the bolt portion, into which screw 5 is applied, drilling a hole through the bolt portion for screw 5 to thread into, and drilling the screw access hole 6, FIGURE 4, through which screw 5 is applied.

Installation of the parts into the stiles requires inserting the flat spring into the bolt portion, sliding the bolt portion into and down through the interior interlocking stile until it is in the proper position, slipping the handle portion into slot 12, FIGURES 3 and 5, and into the bolt portion, and application of th c w 5 through the bolt portion and into the handle portion. Although not claimed as a part of the invention it has been found I to be desirable to place a pressure sensitive sticker over the screw access hole after installation of the screw, to cover the screw and internal parts.

Although the method of manufacture of the general shapes of the two main parts of the invention, the bolt portion and the handle portion, is not to be limited in any Way, your petitioner achieved these shapes by extruding them of aluminum and cutting them into the approximately three inch lengths as shown. The handle portion must then be cut off on the angle as heretofore described.

While I have shown only one application of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made and other adaptations conceived within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular it is contemplated that the device would be fabricated exactly opposite from the way it is heretofore described, for use on windows which slide from right to left rather from left to right as shown here. It should not be limited to application on window units containing only two panels. It is also contemplated that within the scope of the spirit of the invention it may be applied to vertical sliding or single hung type windows.

I claim:

1. A device for latching together the meeting stiles of sliding closures, comprising: a handle portion and a latch bolt portion each having angularly opposed generally planar surfaces and being rigidly secured together by a portion of reduced cross-section, said portions being disposed on opposite sides of a wall of a stile, with said reduced cross-section portion disposed in a slot in said wall and said latch bolt portion extending and being spring-urged through an opposite wall of said stile for coaction with a second stile striker means, said planar surfaces extending beyond the edges of said slot at opposite ends of said slot to form a pivot at the edge of said slot where said surfaces are adjacent each other, and to form stop means opposite said pivot for confining said latch bolt portion for swinging movement between retracted and projected positions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said handle and said latch bolt portions are separate members held in rigid engagement by connecting means.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein an access opening is located in said stile adjacent said portions to facilitate the assembly of said device.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,050,322 9/ 1962 Miller. 3,078,524 2/ 1963 Minick. 3,161,923 12/1964 Crain. 3,220,759 11/1965 Miller 2922l8 X 3,222,098 12/1965 Hausfled 292-173 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner.

J. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR LATCHING TOGETHER THE MEETING STILES OF SLIDING CLOSURES, COMPRISING: A HANDLE PORTION AND A LATCH BOLT PORTION EACH HAVING ANGULARLY OPPOSED GENERALLY PLANAR SURFACES AND BEING RIGIDLY SECURED TOGETHER BY A PORTION OF REDUCED CROSS-SECTION, SAID PORTIONS BEING DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A WALL OF A STILE, WITH SAID REDUCED CROSS-SECTION PORTION DISPOSED IN A SLOT IN SAID WALL AND SAID LATCH BOLT PORTION EXTENDING AND BEING SPRING-URGED THROUGH AN OPPOSITE WALL OF SAID STILE FOR COACTON WITH A SECOND STILE STRIKER MEANS, SAID PLANAR SURFACES EXTENDING BEYOND THE EDGES OF SAID SLOT AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SLOT TO FORM A PIVOT AT THE EDGE OF SAID SLOT WHERE SAID SURFACES ARE ADJACENT EACH OTHER, AND TO FORM STOP MEANS OPPOSITE SAID PIVOT FOR CONFINING SAID LATCH BOLT PORTION FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT BETWEEN RETRACTED AND PROJECTED POSITIONS. 